1time / Unclear policy of flight cancellation policy

1time do not allow cancellations! Their discounted rates are not worth the risk! The policy is not made clear on the web page or in the contract (my point of view). I am R2700 out of pocket. I feel I'm a victim of false marketing.

I will be more cautious next time I reserve tickets with any airline (this is the first time I have ever had a need to cancel).

The details:

I booked a flight with 1time and was impressed by the ease of use of the web page and the price.

Unfortunately when I no longer required the use of the airline (a week before the flight) I discovered there is no way to cancel the flight... I quote:

"1Time Airline does not allow any cancellations or refunds.Only changes are permitted.

When making changes, a confirmed date and time has to be given as we do not put bookings on hold or keep credits. Reservation changes may be made up to 2 hours before departure of the booked flight. Changes may be made on our website, through our call centre, or at any of our airport offices. A R75 Change of Reservation fee, plus the difference in fare if applicable, will be charged per passenger, If the fare on the new flight is lower than the original fare, no refund will be issued. The above is also applicable to name changes."

This implied that what ever I do I must at least pay for the original flight cost as reserved and that when the plane takes off my seats will be empty.

Comments

I became a victim at a security checkpoint last Friday when my Laptop, camera, 3G Card and Memory sticks were gone from my checked-in bag. “I didn't realize until I got to the other end of that when I opened my bag and found the stuff was missing. I reported it, was transferred and promised to be phoned back, logged the claim - but no response.

Please investigate into the possibility that some of the screeners steal or are working together as an organized group of thieves.

I fly on 1time from Johannesburg to Durban. My Laptop, camera, 3G Card and Memory sticks were gone from my checked-in bag.

You would think that with all the safety precautions that are in place, your personal belongings wouldn’t be fair game for the airline baggage handlers to take whatever they want. You would also think that there are video cameras monitoring these folks so that foul play can be prevented. If this is the type of personnel they are hiring, you have to question the effectiveness of their entire staff which also raise the questions of safety. 1Time generic response including their "not responsible" policy is just fine print for highway robbery

“What is especially troubling about this case is that individuals charged with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of our nation's airlines would be pilfering from the travelling public rather than carrying out their responsibilities.”

I called Johannesburg and Durban, was transferred to the Lost & Found department – they promised to phone back, left messages there, logged the claim in person – but no response.